New Led Zeppelin box set

quote:

Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
Has anyone heard the new remasters? Are they actually new? Have they got it right yet?
I need some reliable advice before I jump in at over a hundred quid.
Looking at the photos on Amazon, they appear to be the Japanese re-masters, which I thought were terrible.
Thanks

Doc, the original Diament/Sidore Zep CDs are perfectly fine. The only exception (to me) is the PG which has channel reversal on some of it. The Marino/Page SHM reissue of that is pretty good though. Some of the other reissues have been real ear-bleeders.

If you like to turn the wick up with Zep (surely the whole point) the original CDs are the way to go.

Joe

I confused myself the other day. I have the 1990 box set (Page/Marino) and have reckoned it harsh and uncomfortable....and so I rarely play it.

Then the other day I played the 1st Black Sabbath, Deep Purple In Rock and then had the urge to slinge the 1st Led Zep on (Page/Marino again, but published 1994) expecting the worst, but it was fab (both the music and the sound).

Go figure!

I'm not a big fan of the SHMs, for that price you can get the original XDs (JPN 1st Pressings) - still the best sounding Zep on CD for me.

quote:

Originally posted by MilesSmiles:
I'm not a big fan of the SHMs, for that price you can get the original XDs (JPN 1st Pressings) - still the best sounding Zep on CD for me.

Probably Miles, but scarce (read expensive) I would have thought. The Atlantic originals sound excellent to me. Some remasters of the early albums are horrible. "The Mothership" is a crime against all that is sacred in music replay, it could strip wallpaper.

Joe

Yes, the original Atlantics are excellent as well and much more affordable.

I consider Mothership a crime against humanity.

If this is what you are looking at? AVOID, AVOID, AVOID.

I bought it and the sound is worse than the Marino remasters, really brittle.

Nice to have the mini LP cover artworks, but frankly buying the vinyl on Ebay would cover that if you want to play the CDs.

quote:

Originally posted by JamieL_v2:

If this is what you are looking at? AVOID, AVOID, AVOID.

I bought it and the sound is worse than the Marino remasters, really brittle.

Nice to have the mini LP cover artworks, but frankly buying the vinyl on Ebay would cover that if you want to play the CDs.

I only bought PG from this set and it's sub paar. Go with the originals.

quote:

Originally posted by JamieL_v2:

If this is what you are looking at? AVOID, AVOID, AVOID.

I bought it and the sound is worse than the Marino remasters, really brittle.

Yikes. What Jamie said. These are the work of Satan. Run fast, run hard.

Joe

Rockingdoc,

considering you have an SME 20/2a, I'd suggest you buy up the Classic Records reissues on vinyl - they'll be pricey now - but they make any of the CDs sound insubstantial by comparison. The only one of the Classic I'd be wary of is 2 - just get a standard Atlantic vinyl for that!

Yes, if you have the originals, just keep them.

quote:

Originally posted by munch:

quote:

Originally posted by MilesSmiles:
Yes, the original Atlantics are excellent as well and much more affordable.

I consider Mothership a crime against humanity.

Same goes for the Song Remains The Same.

The only thing I would say for 'The Song Remains the Same' is that having the full set from the concerts makes it work better as a collection of songs. Although the sound is inferior on the re-issue, the original release just didn't work for me, there was always something missing.

Sometime, I should rip the two releases and try and patch together the most complete version, with the best sound for each track, or even each section of tracks that is available.

Might take a bit of work, but probably worth it.

In case you haven't heard of it The Garden Tapes, 1973 is an interesting, or perhaps infuriating, website where someone has deconstructed the edits that have been used to make the official Led Zeppelin live releases, bar by bar in some cases.

When 'How The West Was Won' was released Jimmy Page was asked why he had combined two shows, and he siad it was to give the guy who did that website something to do.

The Garden Tapes homepage

Fascinating!

The new dictionary standard for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, its all here......

quote:

Originally posted by JamieL_v2:

If this is what you are looking at? AVOID, AVOID, AVOID.

I bought it and the sound is worse than the Marino remasters, really brittle.

Nice to have the mini LP cover artworks, but frankly buying the vinyl on Ebay would cover that if you want to play the CDs.

Be very careful where you buy the set from there are quite a few fakes on the market especially ebay. My mate brought one recently from ebay and all they are is crappy quality.

Have a look at this web site for more info

http://www.minilps.net/led-zep...elin-wpcr-13142-fake

quote:

Originally posted by Lee Henley:

Be very careful where you buy the set from there are quite a few fakes on the market especially ebay. My mate brought one recently from ebay and all they are is crappy quality.

Have a look at this web site for more info

http://www.minilps.net/led-zep...elin-wpcr-13142-fake

Thanks for the link, but according to that mine is the legitimate version, they are just adding loudness and boosting the treble and bass so that it sounds 'good' through low quality reproduction, MP3's, cheap systems, and the current fad for 'loud' recordings.

It was bought from Amazon, who I know are not immune to fakes, but on the whole sell the authorized versions.

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
Doc,
I wouldnt bother with the classic vinyl.
Just play your originals man.
Stu

How did you know?
I have at least two or three original vinyl copies of everything up to Presence (some very mint indeed*), and those are what I listen to. But, the new Beatles remasters have given me things the original vinyls couldn't, so was just hoping something similar might have been done for the Zep.

* One of my school friends had no interest in music really, but bought all the albums the rest of did, just to fit in. I recently discovered his collection, literaly UNPLAYED as he didn't even have a TT!
He gave me the lot on condition that I copied a few of his wife's Cliff Richard albums to CD for her.